Goodday forum members;
I’m new to the sight and this is the first time I’ve posted a query. I’m researching the death of my uncle F/S Donald Udell. He was a navigator with 142 sqn. RAF flying Wellingtons. He was lost on a raid to Essen along with two other aircraft of his sqn. The date of this raid was Sept. 16/17 1942.
I’m trying to find out the circumstances of his death. If anyone has a copy of The Nachjagd Diaries vol. 1 and would look up this date for me it would be most appreciated. As well, if anyone can suggest other avenues of research I would be most grateful.
Regards wellington
By: wellington - 4th March 2011 at 04:02
Thanks all for your help so far;
It gives me alot more information than I previously had. He was a Canadian attached to the RAF. A very competent navigator according to newspaper articles of his death at the time. He participated in the 1000 raid on Cologne. At the time of his death he was flying in a wellington IV sqn. code QT-A serial number Z1380. He was 20 yrs. old. Thought a little background would be interesting.
regards wellington
By: ant - 1st March 2011 at 11:53
Your Vickers Wellington
Hello Wellington welcome to the forum the link below is one where you may find some more clues to your questions. I have tried in vain I may add to get to the site that use to list all (known) German aircraft claims by Tony Woods to see if there is any mention of his a/c being shot down, by one of there night fighters. Though it could have just flak? But I seem to get the error not found page come up, more work is needed by me for sure! Any way try posting you qestion here. Regards
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/index.php
Ps. Sorry have just found this which may help
http://don-caldwell.we.bs/claims/tonywood.htm
By: Dr Strangelove - 1st March 2011 at 09:02
The only thing I remember him telling me about this raid was they got lost on the way back & landed at another unit.
Dad was still busy getting radio bearings for the nav “Benny” when the pilot Ted Catley landed, thus leaving the trailing out which got tangled up in the perimeter fence & bust off.
When they returned to Morten (Edgehill) they went straight back out on night flying & bombing training, which didn’t help my Dads now legendary book keeping, he forgot to log the Essen trip until a few days later, so it’s out of date sequence with the rest of the page, he did however record at least part of the a/c serial “1142 ” which I believe was Z1142 which on the 15th of April 43 hit the windsock at Enstone- Z1142
By: wellington - 1st March 2011 at 02:01
Funny how coincidences happen;
I don’t suppose you have anymore information from your dad on this raid? It must have been one of the larger raids at the time to include OTU’S. In any event, thankyou for replying.
wellington
By: Dr Strangelove - 26th February 2011 at 19:40
By an amazing coincidence my Father was on the same raid, in fact this was his one & only bombing raid over Germany before being posted out to North Africa.
At the time he was flying with 21 OTU at Moreton In The Marsh.
16-9-42
hour-2000
aircraft 1142 (Wellington)
OP’s ESSEN DCO
By: wellington - 26th February 2011 at 17:41
Linrey,
Thanks for replying to my request, will keep searching.
wellington
By: Linrey - 23rd February 2011 at 04:51
Hi there,
Have you checked Chorley’s ‘Bomber command Losses’? The Lost Bombers website is based on these books. You’ll find the entry here —>
http://www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=10525
Unfortunately, there’s nothing about the cause of loss..
Good luck with your search!
By: FLYING SAUCER - 23rd February 2011 at 02:07
welcome to the forum. I hope you find some answers relating to your question. Good luck.
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February 23, 2011 at 2:01 am